Electric relay



Dec. 2, 1924.

B. ROSENB'AUM ELECTRIC RELAY Filed Nov. 1, 1921 I Z ZZ l t :1;

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UNTEQ STATES rattan.

FATENT @FFECE.

ELECTRIC RELAY.

Application filed November To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BRUNO RosnNBAUM, residing at Berlin, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Relays, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has to do with electroresponsive devices, and, more particularly, electric relay devices. It relates more especially to electrostatic relays as distinguished from the ordinary electromagnetic type of relay. 7

The object of the invention is to provide an electro-responsive device of extremely high sensitivity which will respond to very feeble currents, as, for instance, currents of the magnitude of wireless signals.

The preferred embodiment of the invention as described in detail hereinafter comprises a constantly rotating disc of poorly conducting material, to one face of which is secured a metallic facing which may be of metal foil or metal of comparable thickness to that of foil which acts as a contacting medium for a contact brush to which one side of the incoming circuit is connected. A stationary disc of the same or similar material as the continuously rotating one is mounted in close proximity to the uncoated face of the continuously rotating disc. The stationary disc is likewise provided with a metallic coating on one face which also acts as a contacting medium for a fixed brush which is in turn connected to the opposite side of the incoming circuit. A. suitable spring is preferably provided for restraining the stationary disc. against rotation. When a current of extremely feeble magnitude is impressed upon the incoming circuit of this device, the two discs referred to are attracted one to the other and adhere proportionately to the magnitude of the impressed current. A frictional engagement is thus effected between the two discs the pressure factor of which is proportional to the impressed voltage. The so-called stationary disc is thereby caused to rotate slightly against the tension of its retaining spring. The rotation of the so-called stationary disc is of an oscillatory nature, that is to say. it rotates with the continuously rotating disc when the impressed voltage is applied, this rotation'being proportional to the impressed voltage, and it returns to its normal position upon each cessation of the impressed voltage. It has been found that 1, 1921. Serial No. 512,013.

the rotary oscillations of the so-called stationary disc in such a device are very accurately proportional to the impressed voltage.

In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a relay in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention; Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view along the line 11 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a multiple relay comprising three units similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, the shaft w is continuously rotated by the motor m. To the shaft w is secured a disc 8 of poorly conducting material. To one face of the disc 8 is secured a metallic coating 7). This coating may be of the nature of metal foil or perhaps slightly thicker than the usual metal foil. A brush it makes contact with the metal coating (1 and this brush is connected to one side of the incoming circuit over which the currents to be amplified are transmitted. A discc' of the same material as the disc 8 is loosely mounted on a shaft to or, as an alternative, on a bearing surrounding shaft '10. The disc 2' is substantially stationary, but, as previously stated, is adapted to oscillate rotatably by reason of frictional engagement with the disc 8. In the drawing the adjacent faces of the discs 1' and s are shown separated by a considerable distance, but in practice they are actually situated very close together so that the greatest possible electrostatic attraction between the discs may be effected. The disc 2' is likewise provided with a metallic coating e similar to the coating 7) on the disc 8, and a brush t is provided for making contact with the metallic coating 6. As indicated, the other side of the incoming line is connected to the brush 6. A restraining spring 7) is fixed at one end in any convenient manner and attached at its other end to the so-called stationary disc 2'. This spring y) tends to retain the disc 2' in a predetermined fixed position, but permits limited rotation thereof in response to frictional engagement between the two discs.

For practical purposes the rotation of the disc 2' may be utilized to operate a microphone or sound producing device, as illustrated or other variable resistances and the like.

The device illustrated in Fig. 2 is similar in all respects to that shown in Fig. 1 except that it comprises three operating units each consisting of a continuously rotating disc and a stationary disc.

I claim:

1. An electroresponsive device comprising a continuously rotating disc of poor conductivity, arelatively stationary disc of poor conductivity in close proximity to said continuously rotating disc, and an incoming circuit having its limbs connected respectively to said discs, the arrangement being such that the two discs are attracted into frictional engagement proportionately to the electrical tension applied thereto, whereby said relatively stationary disc is caused to oscillate in accordance with variations of the applied potential.

2. An electro-responsive device comprising a continuously rotating disc of poor conducting material, a relatively stationary disc of poor conducting material, the adjacent faces of said discs being normally in close propinquity but out of contact one with the other, a source of Variable potential having its terminals connected respectively to Said discs, the arrangement being such that the two discs are attracted into frictional engagement one with the other in proportion to variations of the applied potential, and means for restraining said relatively stationary disc against rotation.

3. An electro-responsive device comprising a continuously rotating disc of poor conducting material, a relatively stationary disc of poor conducting material, each of said discs having one of its faces provided with a metallic coating, the uncoated faces of said discs being normally in close propinquity but out of contact one with the other, contact brushes for effecting electrical engagement with said metallic coatings respectively, and an incoming circuit having its terminals connected across said brushes, the electrostatic attraction between said discs being substantially proportional to the difference of potential between said brushes whereby frictional engagement is effected between said discs varying proportionately with the applied potential.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

BRUNO ROSENBAUM.

Witnesses:

CARL VVIT AR, Dr. GERHARD MYSTORFF. 

